Humans

9 pages, 197 KiB

Open AccessEssay

Olaudah Equiano and the Anti-Ethnography of Blackness

by Sylviane Ngandu-Kalenga Greensword

Humans 2024, 4(4), 400-408; https://doi.org/10.3390/humans4040026 - 3 Dec 2024

Viewed by 139

This essay considers the abolitionist narrative, The Life of Olaudah Equiano, through the anthropological lens of ethnography. Equiano’s account, though not without controversy, contributes to the evolution of an African cultural consciousness that would span across multiple continents. In that sense, while [...] Read more.

This essay considers the abolitionist narrative, The Life of Olaudah Equiano, through the anthropological lens of ethnography. Equiano’s account, though not without controversy, contributes to the evolution of an African cultural consciousness that would span across multiple continents. In that sense, while this autobiography seems to follow the literary pattern of its contemporary slave narratives, it is also countercultural and qualifies as “anti-ethnography”. The review presented here focuses on two sections of Equiano’s work: (1) the Afrocentric account of Ibo culture and (2) the cultural commentary regarding enslavement in the Americas. For each section, Equiano’s deviation from the traditional slave narrative is highlighted and analyzed. Full article

15 pages, 2803 KiB

Open AccessArticle

(Don’t) Use Your Hands: The South Levantine Late Chalcolithic (ca. 4500–3900 cal BC) Spoons and Their Significance

by Danny Rosenberg, Shira Gur-Arieh, Motti Pearl and Hadar Ahituv

Humans 2024, 4(4), 385-399; https://doi.org/10.3390/humans4040025 - 29 Nov 2024

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Abstract

The Late Chalcolithic period in the southern Levant saw notable changes in almost every aspect of daily life. Some of the most significant shifts during this time seem to have been anchored in the subsistence economy and involved food and its cooking, processing, [...] Read more.

The Late Chalcolithic period in the southern Levant saw notable changes in almost every aspect of daily life. Some of the most significant shifts during this time seem to have been anchored in the subsistence economy and involved food and its cooking, processing, storage, serving, and handling with vessels and tools. The paper offers a comprehensive overview and analysis of one utensil that is likely to have been caught up in these developments—the Late Chalcolithic spoon. While spoons first appeared in the region during the Pottery Neolithic period, the Chalcolithic period witnessed a rise in their frequency and distribution. Nonetheless, they were few in number. While their functions remain unclear, we have presupposed their association with food and kitchenware and have explored them in this vein. This paper delves into their morphological characteristics and distribution and ponders their significance in light of other changes that occurred during the Late Chalcolithic period in the southern Levant. Full article

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14 pages, 257 KiB

Open AccessReview

Domestication and Human/Wildlife Mutualism

by Raymond Pierotti

Humans 2024, 4(4), 371-384; https://doi.org/10.3390/humans4040024 - 14 Nov 2024

Viewed by 557

Abstract

In this study, I discuss recent studies of human/wildlife mutualisms and suggest that several cases considered to represent domestication that has arisen through commensalism would be better considered as examples of mutualism between humans and various wild species. Species discussed include the only [...] Read more.

In this study, I discuss recent studies of human/wildlife mutualisms and suggest that several cases considered to represent domestication that has arisen through commensalism would be better considered as examples of mutualism between humans and various wild species. Species discussed include the only domesticated carnivores: cats (Felis sylvestris) and wolves (Canis lupus and C. dingo). I also discuss species over which there is considerable debate about whether they are domesticated or not: African (Loxodonta) and Asiatic elephants (Elphas). All of these species’ interactions include niche construction on the part of both species and influence human evolution at least a cultural level. I further argue that most contemporary domestic species currently exist in mutualistic relationships with humans because even though all of these species have been selected to benefit humans, all domestica species have also benefitted in terms of increased global and local population sizes and from more secure living conditions than can be found in their wild ancestors. Full article

20 pages, 272 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Student Engagement and the Role of Technology

by Salinda Hess and Francine Tremblay

Humans 2024, 4(4), 351-370; https://doi.org/10.3390/humans4040023 - 11 Nov 2024

Viewed by 435

Abstract

This paper examines our collective exploratory research on Anthropology and Sociology students at Concordia University. As teaching faculty members at Concordia, we have all observed a significant shift in our student population over the past fifteen years. They appear to be more detached [...] Read more.

This paper examines our collective exploratory research on Anthropology and Sociology students at Concordia University. As teaching faculty members at Concordia, we have all observed a significant shift in our student population over the past fifteen years. They appear to be more detached and less involved in their studies, a phenomenon that has piqued our collective curiosity. Our first insight into the possible reasons behind this shift came from Rob Beamish’s The Promise of Sociology (2010), where he explored the relationship between technology and knowledge. Inspired by Beamish, we sought to understand the relationship between technology and students’ performance. At the beginning of this research, we never imagined that the world would be under lockdown because of a pandemic (2020–2022) and forced to rely on technology; anyone teaching at the height of COVID-19 was obligated to use technology, which makes Beamish’s argument an even more relevant place to start. Lastly, we delved into the potential impact of technology on students’ health. Full article

11 pages, 3845 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Generalization Increases the Adaptive Value of Mate Choice Copying When Immediate Copying Is Costly

by Geoff Kushnick

Humans 2024, 4(4), 340-350; https://doi.org/10.3390/humans4040022 - 29 Oct 2024

Viewed by 481

Abstract

When assessing potential mates is costly, there will be selection for copying others. Mate choice copying, which is the increased chance of mating with another individual after observing them mating with someone else (i.e., individual-based copying), has been documented in several species, including [...] Read more.

When assessing potential mates is costly, there will be selection for copying others. Mate choice copying, which is the increased chance of mating with another individual after observing them mating with someone else (i.e., individual-based copying), has been documented in several species, including humans. It is touted as an example of the influence of culture on animal and human mating, but alone it is unlikely to lead the cultural evolution of mating. Rather, it requires mate choice copying with generalization (i.e., trait-based copying), which is the effect of immediate observations on future mating. This sort of mate choice copying has been documented in six species, including humans. Here, I extend an existing game theory model of mate choice copying to include generalization (Extension 1), a cost to immediate copying (Extension 2), and both previous extensions (Extension 3). The results show that Extensions 1 and 2 decrease the adaptive value of mate choice copying when compared to the original model. Extension 3 suggests that adding generalization to mate choice copying with a cost to immediate copying is a more likely evolutionary trajectory than adding it to mate choice copying without this cost. These results have implications for illuminating the emergence of the cultural evolution of mating preferences. Full article

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19 pages, 325 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advances in Biocultural Approaches to Understanding Stress in Humans

by Elizabeth Bingham Thomas, Nicolette M. Edwards, Jaxson D. Haug and K. Ann Horsburgh

Humans 2024, 4(4), 321-339; https://doi.org/10.3390/humans4040021 - 15 Oct 2024

Viewed by 595

Abstract

This paper outlines advances in biocultural approaches to anthropology by discussing anthropological approaches to understanding stress, how anthropologists have typically measured stress, and why it matters for anthropology and beyond. We discuss the application of common quantification techniques such as the Perceived Stress [...] Read more.

This paper outlines advances in biocultural approaches to anthropology by discussing anthropological approaches to understanding stress, how anthropologists have typically measured stress, and why it matters for anthropology and beyond. We discuss the application of common quantification techniques such as the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and biomarkers of psychosocial stress from abnormal hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity. We highlight case studies that demonstrate the utility of a biocultural approach to stress across a range of topics—(i) childhood effects, (ii) non-human animals, (iii) depression and anxiety, (iv) migration, and (v) religion—as well as the complexities in the relationship between perceived and biological stress. We conclude by highlighting several areas where we have seen significant advances and point to approaches in other disciplines that anthropology might incorporate to its benefit. Full article

11 pages, 1252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship of the Lower Ribcage with Liver and Gut Size: Implications for Paleoanthropology

by Jeanelle Uy, Gabrielė Beresnevičiūtė and Vyvy Nguyen

Humans 2024, 4(4), 310-320; https://doi.org/10.3390/humans4040020 - 1 Oct 2024

Viewed by 727

Abstract

Organ–skeleton relationships are understudied in biological anthropology. The torso skeleton is often used to infer the organ size and evolution in hominins; ribcage “types”, in particular, are used to infer the abdominal organ size in hominins. This study is a quantitative examination of [...] Read more.

Organ–skeleton relationships are understudied in biological anthropology. The torso skeleton is often used to infer the organ size and evolution in hominins; ribcage “types”, in particular, are used to infer the abdominal organ size in hominins. This study is a quantitative examination of the relationship between the lower ribcage and two organs: the liver and the intestines (“gut”) in humans. Specifically, we test whether the ribcage breadth, shape, and “flare”, at the level of rib 10, covaries with the liver volume and gut volume in Homo sapiens. Liver size, gut size, and ribcage measurements are taken from CT scans (N = 61). The results show sex differences in the gut–ribcage relationship. The gut volume is associated with ribcage breadth and flare in both sexes. The liver volume is not associated with any ribcage measurements. We conclude that sex differences in the organ–skeleton relationship complicate the previous simplistic view that the size of the liver or the gut could be inferred through a fossil’s ribcage type. Biological anthropologists should continue to explore sex differences in organ–skeleton relationships, when attempting to understand the evolution of visceral organs and the torso. Full article

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12 pages, 313 KiB

Open AccessReview

Lactation in Primates: Understanding the Physiology of Lactation from an Evolutionary Perspective

by Michelle Pascale Hassler, Alexandre Fabre, Valérie Moulin, Lucie Faccin, Julie Gullstrand, Alexia Cermolacce and Pierre Frémondière

Humans 2024, 4(4), 298-309; https://doi.org/10.3390/humans4040019 - 25 Sep 2024

Viewed by 843

Abstract

Lactation in humans is complex. Understanding the cultural and biological patterns of human breastfeeding requires a global evolutionary analysis that includes observations of other primates. Human breastfeeding may have several specificities, but some features could be shared with other non-human primates. The purpose [...] Read more.

Lactation in humans is complex. Understanding the cultural and biological patterns of human breastfeeding requires a global evolutionary analysis that includes observations of other primates. Human breastfeeding may have several specificities, but some features could be shared with other non-human primates. The purpose of this work is to determine what makes human breastfeeding unique from an evolutionary perspective. We consider behavioral as well as biological variables. Human and non-human primates share behavioral characteristics, such as the need to learn breastfeeding skills, and they display an adaptation of the energy density of the milk according to the type of mothering. However, despite having slow-growing, secondarily altricial offspring and rather diluted milk, modern humans spend less time breastfeeding than the great apes, and consequently have shorter interbirth intervals. Milk composition in macro- and micro-constituents changes during lactation, demonstrating evolutionary and ecological adaptation. Among the great apes, the milk of modern humans contains a higher proportion of fats, an equivalent proportion of carbohydrates and proteins, and a greater variety of oligosaccharides involved in brain and immune system development. The microbiome of modern man is less diverse than those of non-human primates, but the presence of HMOs and immunoglobulin A suggests that human milk is particularly adapted to prevent neonatal infections. Full article

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Humans, Volume 4, Issue 4 (December 2024) – 8 articles

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